Lakers Lose Bynum But Edge Past Grizzlies 100-99

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under Main

The Los Angeles Lakers, in beating the Memphis Grizzlies 100-99 Sunday, stretched their win streak to 6; however, they may have gotten there at a cost.? Center Andrew Bynum sprained his left knee early in the third quarter and will undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of his knee injury.? Los Angeles shot well in the first half, going into halftime with a 61-51 lead.

The Lakers led by as many as 14 points going in the third quarter before settling for an 80-70 edge going into the fourth quarter.? Los Angeles led by 13 early in the 4th period before Memphis?ran off 14 straight to put them ahead 88-87, their first lead since early in the second quarter.? Neither team would lead by more than 3 points from that juncture of the game.? Memphis’ Henry Warrick would make 2 free throws with 1:53 left in the game, giving the Grizzlies a 96-95 lead.

Los Angeles’ Kobe Bryant made a pair of free throws of his own to put the Lakers back ahead and added a layup with 42 seconds left to go.? Memphis’ Rudy Gay drained a 3-pointer, tying the game at 99, setting up the stage for Los Angeles’ Kwame Brown.? Brown would make a free throw with 9.2 ticks left in the game, sealing the game for the Lakers.? It is important to note here that because of the injury to Bynum, Brown will probably start in Bynum’s place, with Ronnie Turiaf backing up Brown.

Los Angeles was led by Kobe Bryant with 37 points, while a trio of Lakers (Bynum, Lamar Odom and Jordan Farmar) added 10 points each.? Memphis was led by Mike Miller with a rather efficient 27 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.? Pau Gasol had a solid game as well, adding 21 with 18 rebounds and 8 assists – nearly a triple-double.? Gay added 11 in a losing effort.? Los Angeles (25-11) travels to Seattle to take on the SuperSonics Monday night, while Memphis (10-27) returns home to host the Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday.

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